NHK World-Japan reports, “Expressway operators in Japan are scaling back holiday discounts after the lower tolls led to an increase in traffic congestion. The usual 30-percent reduction” — available only to electronic tolling customers — “will no longer apply to 3-day weekends from April.” A gradual rollback of the discount policy started three years ago when reduced rates for New Year, spring, and summer long-weekend travel were eliminated. Operators say the change has been effective in reducing traffic congestion. “The government is also calling for a review of the highway discounts as part of efforts to deal with excessive tourism in some areas.”
